About the job

Job summary

INTRODUCTION

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards.  We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.  Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Global Health, Advice, Science and Partnerships (GHASP) has three major functions, including:

• The Global Health Security (GHS) function which is responsible for providing expert global health advice cross-government and to international organisations on global health security activities.

 Responsibilities under this function include:

• providing technical advice and expertise to HMG Departments, in particular the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) and agencies to inform HMG policy, coordination, and input into international evidence-based policy
• strengthening engagement with international programmes, global networks and partners through influence, leadership and provision of technical expertise into organisations such as WHO and other UN bodies, networks including Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), GHS Initiative (GHSI), and fora such as G7 and G20 to support UK health security initiatives and resilience.
• supporting global commitments to GHS and providing scientific leadership, technical expertise and evidence to inform international policy and technical frameworks such as IHR (2005) and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and supporting global action as we approach the United Nations (UN) 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. 
• strengthening the One Health approach to GHS through activities with HMG, UN and partner organisations, networks and consortia.

• The EU and Four Nations function which works to increase bilateral and multilateral public health activity (across the UK and Europe) and continues to support the overarching coordination of the EU programmes, UK-ECDC MoU and the Four Nations Health Protection and Oversight Group Secretariat.

 Responsibilities under this function include:

• central coordination function for all EU and Four Nation Health Protection activity
• supporting the continued transition to business as usual of all UKHSA activity impacted by the UK and EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement
• providing the secretariat function of the Four Nations Health Protection Oversight Group and wider delivery of the Common Framework on Health Security and Public Health Protection
• delivering commitments as outlined in the Health Security Chapter of the UK and EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, supporting technical experts across UKHSA in their engagements with the EU Commission and ECDC
• oversight of the UK and ECDC MoU as the nominated UKHSA and ECDC Focal Point, delivering agreed commitments
• strengthening engagement with European partners and networks through influence, leadership and strategic deliverables

 

• The Global Disaster Risk Reduction (GDRR) function which aims to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risk, strengthening the resilience of people, systems and approaches. It addresses an all-hazards approach including challenges from climate change, urbanisation, and protracted crises.

 Responsibilities under this function include:

• working across government and with regional, national and global partners to implement the UN Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 to 2030
• improving public health systems through improving prevention, response and recovery
• providing evidence-based guidance in disaster risk reduction
• improving the international coordination of research and innovation in the field of disaster risk reduction
• working to increase UKHSA’s knowledge and expertise in using data and metadata to better understand some of the biggest challenges facing the disaster risk reduction community supporting capacity development in understanding disaster risk and interventions to reduce risk.

JOB SUMMARY

This rewarding and challenging role is responsible for the technical development, execution, and management of GHS associated projects and workstreams within the GHASP team. Using their technical skills and experience, the post-holder will be expected to develop new projects in line with GHASP business plans and objectives, UKHSA and HMG global health strategies, as well as providing technical support to existing projects and workstreams. The post-holder will also be responsible for managing, developing, and coordinating the technical and administrative staff associated with the GHS function of the GHASP team, maintaining governance systems, and developing and fostering stakeholder relationships (both internal and external). The post-holder will be required to work in partnership with the GHS workstream leads and the rest of the GHASP Senior Leadership Team to support and ensure the successful delivery of all GHASP functions. 

The post holder will also support wider delivery of UKHSA’s Global Health Strategy, supporting the delivery of time-limited projects, working across the Health Protection and Global Operations Group to enhance the delivery of GHASP objectives.

Occasional international travel may be required for this post.

Job description

The work will comprise an appropriate mix of the following activities:

• Develop and deliver GHS associated projects, in collaboration with internal UKHSA colleagues and external partners

1. 1. Develop and deliver specific technical projects associated with the GHS function, in line with GHASP business plans and objectives, UKHSA and HMG global health strategies
   2. Collaborate and coordinate with internal UKHSA and external technical experts to ensure delivery of GHS associated projects
   3. Responsible for, and contribution to, technical and expert functions within GHASP team and across the organisation, facilitating and supporting cross-government and international engagement where needed, and ensuring reporting to internal UKHSA processes.

• Oversee and coordinate day-to-day delivery of the GHS function and wider GHASP team functions, working with internal UKHSA, HMG, bilateral and multilateral partners.

1. 1. Responsible for coordinating and project managing projects associated with the GHS function through working with the GHASP technical team, subject matter and workstream leads, as well as internal and external partners.
   2. Responsible for managing budgeting and spending in the GHS function, and contributing to GHASP overall budget management and associated reporting
   3. Develop and manage stakeholder relationships (internal and external) and represent GHASP through routine and ad hoc engagement, attendance at meetings, email correspondence, and participation in groups.
   4. Ensure smooth-running of project functions and fora e.g., technical level meetings, project management and finance meeting.

• Monitor progress of GHS function workstreams against milestones. Present relevant updates as required to the team and other stakeholders on the progress against targets and milestones.

1. 1. Responsible for coordinating and project managing projects associated with the GHS function through working with the GHASP technical team, subject matter and workstream leads, as well as internal and external partners.
   2. Responsible for managing budgeting and spending in the GHS function, and contributing to GHASP overall budget management and associated reporting
   3. Develop and manage stakeholder relationships (internal and external) and represent GHASP through routine and ad hoc engagement, attendance at meetings, email correspondence, and participation in groups.
   4. Ensure smooth-running of project functions and fora e.g., technical level meetings, project management and finance meeting.

• Report and provide briefings as necessary to a range of stakeholders including:

1. 1. Manage reporting on GHS workstreams and if required wider GHASP associated workstreams, overseeing and/or providing briefings as necessary to a range of internal and external stakeholders and partners including managing submissions for the Global Operations Programme Management Board, and others, as requested.

• Be responsible for change control and configuration management.

1. 1. Developing and updating business planning, GHASP procedures and guidance notes for UKHSA activities and monitoring their use.
   2. Liaise with colleagues to provide accurate and timely responses to Parliamentary Questions (PQ)s and Freedom of Information requests.
   3. Responsible for maintaining and updating an informative UKHSA page on the GHASP programme.

• Line management of relevant staff

1. 1. Effective line management of staff, and management of related administrative functions to ensure flexibility and capacity to meet the team’s needs. Line management will include undertaking appraisals, ensuring direct reports can achieve their objectives and have access to appropriate learning and development recruitment, induction, and progressing any employee relations matter (capability, disciplinary)
   2. Mentoring, coaching, supporting and developing staff and managers personally; encouraging effective and constructive feedback and continuous improvement. Support the training of other colleagues including those from other functional areas.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of no more than 1,250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

• Educated to level 6 in a relevant subject area (public health, science, international development or other relevant human, animal or environment health domains) or experience of working within a similar role in an applicable area and able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge.
• Substantial knowledge and work experience in public health, or other equivalent health protection projects or programmes at a senior level, and communicable disease prevention, detection and response
• Understanding of global health including the health challenges of low- and middle-income countries and the international health and global health security architecture.
• Experience of building and managing relationships with a variety of stakeholders/partners across a system with different reporting relationships to achieve positive outcomes and results.
• Experience of project development and delivery including project management tools and techniques, budget setting and a working knowledge of financial processes.
• Experience of successfully operating in a politically sensitive environment.
• Uses evidence to make improvements, seeks out innovation.
• Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options; ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales.
• Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change; effective organiser, influencer and networker.
• Demonstrate appreciation and acknowledgment of the range and complexities of diversity; self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers; cultural competence – cultural sensitivity and awareness.

 Desirable

• Comprehensive experience of project principles, techniques and tools such as PRINCE2 and Managing Successful Projects

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Your Statement of Suitability (no more than 1,250 words) should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this. 

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This competition will involve an interview by video. 

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.  Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 5/10-minute presentation to the panel.  This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment.  The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role.  Full details will be provided prior to the interview.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs 22nd January – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Shortlist: w/c 22nd January

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change. 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.